Rice off to great start

Making his third consecutive state appearance, the Manson Northwest Webster second-ranked junior posted a 9-3 decision over Lake Mills’ No. 7 Andy Dahle in a Class 1A opening-round match at 138 pounds.

With the victory, Rice improved to 45-1 on the season and 125-11 in his career.

“I felt a lot more comfortable this year and didn’t get scared from the environment,” said Rice, who claimed silver here last winter after previously finishing sixth. “I got a little boost of confidence from wrestling (in Wells Fargo Arena) before. Now, I guess I just have to see where the chips may fall.”

Awaiting Rice next in the quarterfinal round is Midland’s TJ Bowen (46-4), who upset Audubon’s ninth-ranked Chase Petersen by a 2-0 final

Senior Connor Alne (145) stayed in medal contention, as well, for the Cougars. Following a 5-1 setback to Caleb Wedeking of North Butler, Alne bounced back with a 1-0 triumph over Ogden’s Austin Lentz. Alne (38-7) will hook up with either Evan Hansen ( 44-1) from EHK/Exira or Sigourney-Keota’s No. 4 Josh Yoder (35-5).

Harley Janssen (120) went 0-2 for MNW, falling to Jake Hunerdosse of Southeast Warren and South Hamilton’s No. 6 JD Rader by scores of 12-0 and 17-2, respectively. Janssen bowed out at 35-11.

Lehman (34-7) scored a 9-4 decision over Trey Busick of Pleasantville. He will take on Midland’s fifth-ranked Kyle Pegorick (48-2) in his next bout.

Jake Haberman (33-7) delivered a 5:07 fall time against Josh Matusik from Woodbine. Don Bosco’s No. 3 Jake Hogan (40-4) will now be his opponent.

The three-time state qualifier Gambrill (23-8) narrowly escaped with an 8-6 overtime victory over Cody Van Dee of Iowa Valley. Gambrill will square off with Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire’s Cody Thompson (36-10) in the quarterfinals.

Despite being pinned (4:26) in his first match by Shane Poppens from Aplington-Parkersbug, Joel Haberman showed his resiliency with an 8-3 decision against Eddyville-Blakesburg’s Cody Brown. Haberman (32-8) will now be paired against either No. 4 Lane Nichols (23-7) from Woodbury Central or Highland’s Travis Cole (45-3).

Senior Taylor Clough (152) can still make the podium for the Warriors after going 1-1. Clough (35-7) dropped an 8-2 decision to eighth-ranked Kain Queck of Nodaway Valley in his opener, while later rebounding with a 20-3 technical fall over Wilton’s Kaleb Schmidt. Clough will next meet either No. 4 Logan Moore (48-2) from West Monona or North Butler’s third-ranked Cody Nelson (46-0).